Handheld computer with detachable communication device

ABSTRACT

A handheld computing device ( 10 ) having voice input and voice output includes a handheld unit ( 20 ) having a processor ( 11 ) and a display ( 18 ) communicating with the processor ( 11 ), a communication device ( 30 ) including means for voice input ( 43 ) and means for voice output ( 42 ), a mechanism ( 39, 41 ) for docking the communication device ( 30 ) with the handheld unit ( 20 ) forming a docked unit, the docked unit dimensioned to be held in one hand while being used for voice input and voice output, and at least one connection ( 23, 36 ) for carrying voice-representative signals between the handheld unit ( 20 ) and the device ( 30 ). Device ( 10 ) allows telephone-style, voice-driven, user-interface communications both when device ( 30 ) is docked with handheld unit ( 20 ), and when device ( 30 ) is detached from handheld unit ( 20 ). Communication device ( 30 ) is made lightweight so that it can be held for an extended amount of time during lengthy phone-style conversations, and may be equipped with a formed support such as a flexible loop ( 26 ) to let the user wear device ( 30 ) on one of user&#39;s ears for hands-free use. Device ( 10 ) can also be equipped with an image scanner to serve as a digital camera or videophone.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/787,472filed Mar. 15, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,952,617, which is a nationalstage of PCT International application Serial No. PCT/US00/19445 filedJul. 17, 2000, which claims priority to provisional application Ser. No.60/143,861 filed Jul. 15, 1999, herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to handheld computer andcommunications devices. More particularly, the present inventionpertains to cellular telephones and electronic organizers. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to portable devicessometimes referred to as smart cell phones, that combine the functionsfurnished by cellular telephones and electronic organizers.

Smart cell phones are devices that combine the capabilities of cellulartelephones and electronic organizers. Examples of such devices are theModel PDQ-800 from Qualcomm Incorporated of San Diego, Calif., and theModel R380 from Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson of Stockholm, Sweden.These devices allow the user to access the Internet for email, stocksquote, etc., while preserving their use as simple wireless phone units.However, users find these devices too bulky and heavy when they have tobe held for a prolonged period of time during lengthy phoneconversations. Also, users cannot read information on the display ofthese devices while carrying out a phone conversation unless the deviceis used in a so-called speakerphone operating mode, which is notsuitable for use in public places such as airports and street sidewalks.

This latter shortcoming is partially addressed by Motorola, Inc. ofSchaumburg, Ill., which makes a Model StarTAC Clip-on Organizer thatclips onto the back of Motorola's Model StarTAC cellular telephone. Whencombined, the cell phone can automatically dial a user selectedtelephone number stored in contact database of the organizer. If theorganizer is detached from the cell phone, the organizer display can beread while the user carries out telephone conversation via the handset.However, the combined Motorola StarTAC Clip-on Organizer and cellulartelephone still suffers from several significant drawbacks. First, sincethe organizer and telephone must, for the most part, operate independentof each other, they must each include a separate battery power supplythat the user must separately charge. Second, because the organizer andtelephone each must be equipped with sufficient computing power tooperate independent of the other, the overall cost of the combineddevice becomes prohibitive. Additionally, neither of these devicesprovide an integral handset that can be worn by the user for hands-freeoperation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide ahandheld computer and communication device having a detachable handsetthat by sharing processor resources is economical to manufacture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device, asset forth above, wherein the handset may be worn by the user forhands-free operation.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a device,as set forth above, which is adapted to handheld and/or worn forextended periods without user fatigue resulting from the device's weightor dimensions.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide adevice, as set forth above, having a plurality of rechargeable powersupplies that may be simultaneously recharged through a singleconnection with the device.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a device,as set forth above, and further including a display, that allows a userto read the display while holding the handset to, or wearing the handsetupon, an ear.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention overexisting prior art forms will become more apparent and fully understoodfrom the following description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

In general, a handheld computing device having voice input and voiceoutput includes a handheld unit having a processor and a displaycommunicating with the processor, a communication device or handsetincluding means for voice input and means for voice output, a mechanismfor docking the communication device with the handheld unit forming adocked unit, the docked unit dimensioned to be held in one hand whilebeing used for voice input and voice output, and at least one connectionfor carrying voice-representative signals between the handheld unit andthe communication device.

A wireless phone handset for handheld and hands-free operation includesa handheld unit having means for communicating with remote locations, aheadset having a microphone for voice input and a speaker for voiceoutput, a mechanism for docking the headset with the handheld unitforming a docked unit, the docked unit dimensioned to be held in onehand while being used for voice input and voice output, and at least oneconnection for carrying voice-representative signals between thehandheld unit and the headset, both when the headset is docked with thehandheld unit and when the headset is separate from the handheld unit.

A handheld computing and communication device includes a handheld unithaving a processor and a display communicating with the processor, acard-shaped peripheral that communicates with remote locations, thehandheld unit having a slot for accepting the card-shaped peripheral, ahandset or communication device including means for voice input andmeans for voice output, a mechanism for docking the handset with thehandheld unit forming a docked unit, the docked unit dimensioned to beheld in one hand while being used for voice input and voice output, atleast one connection for carrying voice-representative signals betweenthe handheld unit and the headset, both when the headset is docked withthe handheld unit and when the headset is separate from the handheldunit, and the card-shaped peripheral carrying at least one of theconnection for carrying voice-representative signals and the mechanismfor docking the communication device to the handheld unit.

A communication device or handset adapted to be removably attached to ahandheld host computer of the type having connection for peripherals,the communication device including a microphone for voice input and aspeaker for voice output, a mechanism for docking the communicationdevice with the handheld unit forming a docked unit, the docked unitdimensioned to be held in one hand while being used for voice input andvoice output, and at least one connection for carryingvoice-representative signals between the handheld unit and the headset,both when the headset is docked with the handheld unit and when theheadset is separate from the handheld unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an exemplary device in accordance withthe present invention showing both a portable, handheld unit and adetachable handset.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the exemplary device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the exemplary device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the exemplary detachable handset shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the exemplary detachable handset shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the exemplary detachable handset shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the exemplary device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a front plan view of another exemplary device in accordancewith the present invention showing both another portable, handheld unitand another detachable handset in which the wireless communicationcircuit is in a separate, cardshaped peripheral interposed therebetween.

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the exemplary device shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a front plan view of the exemplary detachable handset, imagescanner and card-shaped peripheral shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a left side view of the exemplary image scanner andcard-shaped peripheral shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a right side view of the exemplary detachable handset, imagescanner and card-shaped peripheral shown in FIG. 10.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 presents a front plan view of an exemplary device in accordancewith the present invention, generally indicated by the numeral 10, thatis a handheld or portable computer 20 (hereinafter referred to ashandheld or portable unit 20) into which is removably docketed adetachable handset 30, operable both when attached and detached fromhandheld computer 20.

Device 10 may employ a voice-driven user-interface and include aprocessor, memory and other support circuits, as well as display andkeys for user-interface.

Handset 30 has a microphone, speaker, and a short-range communicationlink to carry voice-representative signals between communication deviceor handset 30 and handheld unit 20. Device 10 allows telephone-style,voice-driven, user-interface both when handset 30 is docked intohandheld unit 20, and when device 30 is detached from handheld unit 20.Handset or device 30 is made lightweight so that it can be held for anextended amount of time during lengthy phone-style conversations. Tofurther aid in such applications, device 30 may be equipped with aformed support to let the user wear device 30 on one of user's ears forhands-free use as a headset. A flexible loop that fits around base ofthe user's ear is one example of such formed support.

Device 10 can also be equipped with an image scanner to serve as adigital camera. The image scanner can be attached to handheld unit 20via an adjustable joint so that the scanned image scanner can be pointedin multiple directions with respect to handheld unit 20. The scannedimages are received by the processor of handheld unit 20 and stored inmemory. From there the image can be output to a printer or sent to aremote device for archiving. Alternately, the scanner can be used toconvert device 10 into a videophone. In this operating mode device 10may transmit the scanned video images to a remote site where they aredisplayed in real time.

In an alternate embodiment, the functionality of the above-describeddevice 30 can be added as a peripheral to a handheld host computer ofthe type having connection for peripherals. This alternate embodimentwill include a handset or communication device and means for connectingthe device to the handheld host computer, and optionally also may beequipped with an image scanner, thereby providing videophone capability.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 7 depict a right side view, bottom view and blockdiagram, respectively, of the embodiment of device 10 shown in FIG. 1.FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show a front plan view, right-side view, andperspective view, respectively, of the embodiment of handset 30presented in FIGS. 1–3.

Handheld unit 20 includes a display 18, tactile buttons 19 (which may beformed in a keypad), printed circuit board 64, a source of power such aspower supply 14, and a connector 23 for connecting peripherals on therear of the handheld unit 20. Detachable handset 30 includes housing 55,microphone housing 38 and a connecting arm 32. Housing 55 carriesprinted circuit board 63, speaker 42, a source of power such as powersupply 35, and a connector 36 that mates with connector 23 of handheldunit 20 when handset 30 is docked into handheld unit 20. In the dockedposition, communication device 30 is held to handheld unit 20 via adocking mechanism such as latching tabs 39 and 41 (best seen in FIG. 6)and their engaging members. Microphone housing 38 houses microphone 43and has a tab 39 to latch device 30 to handheld unit 20 when the formeris docked into the latter, forming what may be referred to as a dockedunit. In this way, while device 10 is can be held in one hand, thespeaker and the microphone of device 30 are positioned suitably forvoice input and voice output.

Handset 30 also includes a flexible loop 26 that is formed in such a waythat in its natural position there is a gap between loop 26 and housing55 large enough for a user's upper-ear to pass though. To wear handset30, for a hands-free operation of voice input and voice output, the userplaces handset 30 such that loop 26 goes around the base of the user'sear. In this position speaker 42 is placed substantially over the user'sear canal opening. Arm 32 is affixed to housing 55 via a hinge 56 suchthat the user can adjust arm 32 to place microphone 43 near the user'smouth. When handset 30 is docked into handheld unit 20, flexible loop 26is pressed toward housing 55 by the back side of handheld unit 20 untiltab 41 of handset 30 latches into a corresponding slot 65 in handheldunit 20.

Handset or communication device 30 is detached from handheld unit 20 bythe user simply pushing the front of housing 55 away from handheld unit20, thereby flexing arm 32 and allowing tab 41 to slip out of its slot.At this time flexible loop 26 pushes housing 55 away from the back-sideof handheld unit 20, further facilitating detachment of device 30 fromhandheld unit 20.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram representation of device 10, includinghandheld unit 20 and communication device 30. Handheld unit 20 includesa central processor 11, and the circuits supported and controlled by it,including program memory 12, data memory 13, power supply 14, videointerface 15, keyboard interface 16, communication interface 17,pen-input interface 51 and audio interface 29. In turn, video interface15 drives display 18, keyboard interface 16 drives keypad 19,communication interface 17 drives wireless communication circuit 21, andpen-input interface 51 drives the pen-input panel 52.

When handset or communication device 30 is docked into handheld unit 20,central processor 11 establishes a connection via the audio interface 29that drives audio signals via connector 23 of handheld unit 20, whichmates with connector 36 of device 30, thereby driving microphone 43 andspeaker 42 housed in device 30. When device 30 is detached from handheldunit 20, a connection is established via short-range transceiver 53 ofhandheld unit 20 and wireless, short-range transceiver 31 ofcommunication device 30.

Communication device 30 includes a control circuit such as handsetcontroller 34, and wireless, short-range transceiver 31 driven byhandset controller 34. An OR gate 33 in handset 30 feeds to speaker 42the audio signal from handset audio interface 82 and the audio signalfrom audio interface 29 of handheld unit 20. Similarly, the audio signalfrom microphone 43 of device 30 is received by handset, audio interface82, from which it is communicated by handset controller 34 toshort-range transceiver 31 of device 30. In this way there is aconnection made for carrying voice-representative signals betweenhandheld unit 20 and device 30 in both operating modes, namely when thehandset is docked into handheld unit 20 and when the handset is detachedfrom handheld unit 20.

Handheld unit 20 is powered by power supply 14 such as rechargeableLithium Ion battery cells used in cellular phones. A charger (not shown)is plugged into charger jack 54 of handheld unit 20 to charge batterypower supply 14 of handheld unit 20. When communication device 30 isdocked into handheld unit 20, headset power supply 35 is connected tohandheld unit 20 power supply 14, whereby the former is trickle chargedby the latter. In this way the user charges only the handheld unit 20battery power supply 14 and headset battery power supply 35 ispractically maintenance-free.

Handheld unit 20 includes, as seen in FIGS. 1–3, an image scanner 61that is mounted to handheld unit 20 via a hinge 56, thereby allowingscanner 61 to be rotated to the desired angle. Image scanner 61 caninclude a CCD sensor such as those used in digital cameras. In this way,for example, when image scanner 61 is pointed toward the front of device10, it faces the user and allows device 10 to be used as a video phone.In this operating mode the volume of the audio signal to speaker 42 maybe increased so that device 10 can be used as a speakerphone.

Handheld unit 20 includes wireless communication circuit 21 attached toantenna 22. Wireless communication circuit 21 can be a cellulartelephone circuit such as that offered by DSP Communications, Inc. ofCupertino, Calif., or it can be a satellite communication circuit suchas that provided for Iridium by Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Ill.Alternately, handheld unit 20 may include a wired communication circuitsuch as a traditional telephone modem.

FIGS. 8–12 present another exemplary embodiment of a device inaccordance with the present invention, identified generally with thenumeral 110. As with device 10, device 110 includes a handheld unit 120and handset or communication device 130. However, in this embodiment thewireless communication circuit is not included with handheld unit 120.Instead, wireless communications may be provided by a separate unitinterposed between handheld unit 120 and device 130, such as one of thewireless communication circuits for cellular telephony or other remotecommunications offered for sale by DSP Communications, Inc. ofCupertino, Calif., provided in a card-shaped housing. In this embodimenthandheld unit 120 is provided with a slot 167 (shown in FIG. 9) forreceiving a card-shaped peripheral 162 including a wirelesscommunication circuit and having a connector 168 (illustrated in FIG.10) for engagement with handheld unit 120. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,communication device 130 docks into handheld unit 120. Communicationdevice 130 is configured similar to that of device 30 described above,except device 130 does not have a flexible loop 26. As shown in FIGS. 10and 12, the opposite edge of card-shaped peripheral 162 includes aconnector 123 that mates with connector 36 in device 130, therebyinterconnecting handheld unit 120 and device 130 via card-shapedperipheral 162.

Communication device 130, when combined with card-shaped peripheral 162,transforms a general purpose handheld computing device, such as aPalm-sized PC called Jornada from Hewlett-Packard Company of Palo AltoCalif., into a handheld computing device with a detachable communicationdevice.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 8–12 also includes an image scanner 61similar to that described above in reference to handheld unit 20 shownin FIGS. 1–3. FIG. 11 presents the left side view of card-shapedperipheral 162. FIG. 12 shows a right side view of device 130 while itis connected to card-shaped peripheral 162.

Other modifications now should be apparent to the ordinarily skilledartisan. For example, card-shaped peripheral 162 may be replaced by aconventionally connected module mounted on handheld unit 120. Also,device 130 may include a formed support, such as that described abovefor device 30 and shown in FIGS. 1–6.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to variations,modifications and changes in detail, some of which have been expresslystated herein, it is intended that all matter described throughout thisentire specification or shown in the accompanying drawings beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It should thusbe evident that a device constructed according to the concept of thepresent invention, and reasonably equivalent thereto, will accomplishthe objects of the present invention and otherwise substantially improvethe art relating to devices for handheld computer and communicationsdevices, and, in particular, smart cell phones.

1. A portable device, comprising: a portable unit including a processorand a display communicating with the processor, the portable unit havinga wireless voice-driven interface; a handset including voice input andvoice output; a mechanism for docking the handset with the portable unitforming a docked unit, the docked unit dimensioned to be portable whilebeing used for voice input and voice output; a wireless connection forcarrying voice-representative signals between the wireless voice-driveninterface of the portable unit and the handset; a first rechargeablepower source being within the portable unit; and a second rechargeablepower source being within the handset, and wherein the secondrechargeable power source is recharged by the first rechargeable powersource when the handset is docked with the portable unit.
 2. Theportable device of claim 1, wherein the portable unit further comprises:charger jack for use in connecting with an associated externalrecharging power supply, the charger jack being operatively communicatedwith the first rechargeable power source; and, wherein the secondrechargeable power source is recharged only when the handset is dockedwith the portable unit.
 3. The portable device of claim 1, wherein saidconnection for carrying voice representative signals is one of anoptical link and a radio frequency link.
 4. The portable device ofclaim
 1. wherein said handset includes a formed support for carryingsaid handset by a user's ear, enabling hands-free headset operation. 5.The portable device of claim 4, wherein said formed-support is aflexible loop configured for partially surrounding a user's ear.
 6. Theportable device of claim 1, further including means for communicatingwith a remote location, which means is at least one of means forwireless communication and means for wired communication.
 7. Theportable device of claim 1, further comprising: an image scanner.
 8. Thedevice as set forth in claim 7, wherein said portable unit furtherincludes a rotatable joint for adjustably carrying said image scannerand scanning in a plurality of directions relative to said portableunit.
 9. A portable communication device, comprising: a portable unithaving a front face and first and second ends, the portable unitincluding a processor and a display operatively communicated with theprocessor, wherein the display is incorporated onto the front face ofthe portable unit, the portable unit including a wireless communicationcircuit for use in communicating with a remote location; a headset,including a microphone for receiving voice input signals, the microphonebeing positioned proximate to the front face of the portable unit at afirst location, and a speaker for generating voice output signals, thespeaker being positioned proximate to the front face of the portableunit at a second location, wherein the microphone and the speaker areconnected to form an integrated headset; at least one connection forcarrying voice representative signals between the portable unit and theheadset; and, wherein the headset is selectively detachable from theportable unit.
 10. The portable communication device of claim 9, whereinthe microphone is positioned relative to the front face such that when auser positions the front face of the portable unit adjacent the head,the microphone will detect the user's speaking, and wherein the speakeris positioned relative to the front face such that when a user positionsthe front face of the portable unit adjacent the head, any sound emittedfrom the speaker will be detectable by the user's ear.
 11. The portablecommunication device of claim 9, wherein the at least one connection forcarrying voice representative signals between the portable unit and theheadset is at least one wireless connection for carrying voicerepresentative signals between the portable unit and the headset. 12.The portable communication device of claim 11, wherein the at least onewireless connection for carrying voice representative signals betweenthe portable unit and the headset is one of an optical link and a radiofrequency link.
 13. The portable communication device of claim 9,further comprising: a mechanism for selectively docking the headset withthe portable unit adjacent the back face of the portable unit.
 14. Theportable communication device of claim 9, wherein the headset furthercomprises a power source included in the headset for use incommunicating voice representative signals between the portable unit andthe headset.
 15. The portable communication device of claim 9, whereinthe headset comprises a formed-support for carrying the headset by auser's ear in hands-free operation.
 16. The portable comnmnicationdevice of claim 9, wherein the wherein the connection between themicrophone and the speaker is a connecting arm which is pivotallyconnected to the speaker.
 17. The portable communication device of claim9, wherein aid means for wireless communications is at least one of atelecommunication system, a cellular communication system and asatellite communication system.
 18. A wireless phone handset forportable and hands-free operation, comprising, a portable unit having acommunication system for communicating with remote locations, and aselectively detachable headset having a microphone for voice input and aspeaker for voice output; a mechanism for selectively docking saidheadset with said portable unit forming a docked unit, said docked unitdimensioned to be portable while being used for voice input and voiceoutput; and, at least one wireless connection for carryingvoice-representative signals between said portable unit and saidheadset, both when said headset is docked with said portable unit andwhen said headset is separate from said portable unit.
 19. A handset asset forth in claim 18, wherein said headset includes a rechargeableheadset power-source, said portable unit further including a system torecharge said headset power-source at least when said headset is dockedwith said portable unit.
 20. A handset as set forth in claim 19, whereinsaid connection for carrying voice-representative signals is one of anoptical link and a radio frequency link.